But in a battle that has lasted two decades campaigners with action group Save Mirfield have succeeded in winning a public inquiry to stop development and have forced Bellway to reduce its planned number of homes .

An aerial view of Balderstone Hall Fields in Mirfield, showing what is believed to be evidence of Iron Age roads and a roundhouse. Pics by STEVE BENSON

And, earlier this month, a team with West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service found evidence of mine workings and 2,000-year-old Iron Age roads, which could also have an impact on the plans.

Kirklees Council was accused of putting the cart before the horse by calling on the public to suggest names for the road into the site before any plan has been approved.

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In a draft press release officers wrote: “Suggestions are invited for names to be considered for allocation to a new street to serve residential development off land adjacent [to] Woodward Court, off Wellhouse Lane.

“In general names should not duplicate or closely resemble existing street names in the area, nor are streets generally named after persons who are living or who have lived in the recent past. Preference is often given to names with local connotations.”

Mirfield councillor Martyn Bolt criticised Kirklees Council for jumping the gun and provided his own suggestion for the street’s name.

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“Maybe it could be named Bellway’s Folly, because it’s folly to name something that is not approved.

“I am disappointed with Kirklees. They need to have consideration for a contentious development and look at their reputation for the future. How will members of the public perceive this?

“This is putting the cart before the horse. It is misplaced. No-one is going to be moving in there anytime soon. It sends out a message to the populace that this is a done deal and I sincerely hope that it is not. I will be raising it with Kirklees.”

He said Bellway had not proved that it had a sustainable drainage system for the 11-acre site. In addition the Coal Authority had expressed concern at the presence of mine shafts and coal workings and an archaeology report had not been received.

Karl Battersby, the director for economy and infrastructure at Kirklees Council, said: “The process of consulting or asking for suggestions on road names is standard practice and does not give any indication of whether planning permission would or would not be granted.

“This process is the same for all new developments where new roads are created, and is not particular to this application. We have now stopped the process in this case.”